{"id":2250,"date":"2009-12-23T15:55:00","date_gmt":"2009-12-23T15:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.image-reg.com\/numberplates\/?p=16"},"modified":"2025-01-28T19:48:40","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T19:48:40","slug":"emirates-auction-number-plate-1-world-record","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.regplates.com\/blog\/2009\/12\/23\/emirates-auction-number-plate-1-world-record\/","title":{"rendered":"Emirates auction number plate “1” – world record!"},"content":{"rendered":"

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (CNN)<\/strong> — You expect a motorist to shell out a little extra cash for a vanity license plate.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Number 5 fetched $6.75 million, now the UAE is likely to set another record.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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But nowhere is the craze for a unique plate more intense than in the United Arab Emirates, the oil-rich Persian Gulf nation that holds the world record for the six most expensive plates.<\/p>\n

Here, it’s all about how low you can go — with people battling it out at auctions to win the chance to show off license plates with the lowest digit.<\/p>\n

The numbers “5” and “7” have already been snapped up, sold for 25 million dirhams ($6.75 million) and 11 million dirhams ($2.97 million) respectively.<\/p>\n

Next week, the country will put up for auction the mother of all vanity plates: the number “1.” It is expected to immediately set a new record for the most expensive plate in the world.<\/p>\n

“As low as the number goes, as high the price goes also,” said Abdullah Al Mannaei, who runs the license plate auctions in the capital city, Abu Dhabi.<\/span><\/p>\n

“If it’s a two-digit number, if it’s similar like ’99’ or ’22,’ that goes (for) a higher amount.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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It’s no surprise that license plate craze has such a grip on the United Arab Emirates. The tiny nation, slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Maine, is prone to thinking big.<\/p>\n

It is already home to the world’s largest mall, the world’s largest tower, and — despite being in the Middle East — boasts the largest indoor snow park in the world.<\/p>\n

Talal Khouri, a stock broker in Abu Dhabi , is the proud owner of “5” and “7.” He sheepishly admits that yes, it’s a status thing.<\/p>\n

The license plate “5” hangs from his shiny red Rolls Royce. An expensive car, but still, 10 times less so than the plate itself.<\/p>\n

It’s not all ego though. The money that the government raises auctioning off plates goes to a fund that helps victims of car accidents.<\/p>\n

Abu Dhabi has held five such auctions, selling 300 plates and raising an astonishing $56 million.<\/p>\n

For the business savvy, there’s an added attraction: it’s a good investment.<\/p>\n

“I have a number plate on my car, which was worth 35,000 (dirhams) four years ago,” Al Mannaei said. “And I have an offer now for 400,000.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Khouri has his eyes set on snagging the number “1,” but he is being practical about how much he is willing to spend.<\/p>\n

“Um, I (will) not pay more than, maximum 15 (to) 20,” he said.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — You expect a motorist to shell out a little extra cash for a vanity license plate. Number 5 fetched $6.75 million, now the UAE is likely to set another record. But nowhere is<\/p>\n

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